A peace protest, the Bishop of Reading dishing out treats and a motorcycle rally – across Reading, Easter was celebrated in a variety of ways.

On Good Friday, The Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell handed out hot cross buns in the town centre – encouraging people to smile despite the current economic gloom.

Later that day hundreds of bikers sped from Tilehurst through the town centre and on to Abbey Rugby Club in Emmer Green where they handed over thousands of chocolate eggs for underprivileged children.

And yesterday about 20 peace protesters gathered at the gates of AWE Aldermaston in Tadley where they prayed and sang.

They walked from AWE’s main gates to its A4 entrance in Aldermaston, all the way smiling and waving brightly coloured ‘peace’ flags.

Reading’s main Walk of Witness on Good Friday did not go ahead this year but there were smaller walks in Tilehurst, Pangbourne and Purley.

Speaking on Friday, the Bishop said: “The message I have for Reading is one of hope in spite of these difficult times.

“About 500 hot cross buns have gone, all with an Easter message attached, and I hope people read and understand it.”

The Reverend Chris Russell from St Laurence Church in Friar Street accompanied the Bishop handing out buns.

He said: “It’s gone great – apart from the gluten-free brigade who cannot eat hot cross buns. We’ve handed out 500 in little more than half-an-hour – so 500 people have had the Easter message.”

Canon Brian Shenton, from Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin, added: “We’ve had a very good response this Easter.”

Biker Gary Taylor, of Caversham, joined hundreds of people travelling across Reading with Easter eggs, an event organised by the Royal Variety Club and supported by Thames Valley Vale Vultures.

The 43-year-old said: “I’m riding for a great cause and it’s great fun too. There is a real sense of community here.”

Sam Williams, 22, and her pal Danny Giani, both from Caversham, dressed up as giant bunnies to ride their bikes.

Mr Giani, 35, said: “It’s a great cause and we love doing it.”

The event was organised on the motorcycling side by Colin Hawkins, 45, from Bracknell. He said 222 bikes took part and more than 3,700 eggs were donated which will be distributed to schools and hospices.

Two stars of Sky’s Gladiators television programmes also took part in the event.

Jenny Pacey, aka Enigma, said: “We were asked to support it and thought ‘definitely’.

“We are both chocoholics too which makes it even better.”

Wayne Gordon – or Doom – said: “This is an awesome cause.”

The Aldermaston protest passed off peacefully. At each of the establishment’s gates a candle, plant and cross were left.

Ailsa Johnson travelled from Cornwall to march. She said: “I have protested for nuclear disarmament for 28 years and will continue to do so. Nuclear weapons could destroy the world in an instant.”

Fellow campaigner Mary Holmes, from Twickenham, said: “We are campaigning for the next generation. People think the issue of nuclear weapons has been resolved, but it hasn’t.”